Quartet Aussie women set for Dubai debut

NEWS: Demi Hayes is set to make her long-awaited return from injury while a quartet of players are in line for Australian Sevens debuts in the opening round of the 2024/5 HSBC SVNS series from November 30 in Dubai.

Australian coaches Tim Walsh and Liam Berry have named their squads for the opening tournament of the season, with new-look teams following the Paris Olympics.

Walsh continues his role in charge of the Australia Women’s team while Barry joins Rugby Australia as head coach of the mens side following the departure of John Manenti.

Hayes, who suffered an ACL injury in Cape Town last year, has been included in Walsh’s side after close to 12 months out of the game recovering from injury.

Walsh has also named Kahli Henwood for an official Sevens series debut after a late call-up to the Olympic team in July, while Kiiahla Duff comes in for an injured Bienne Terita, who will miss the first tournament of the series.

Australia’s Women are the reigning HSBC SVNS world champions after winning the title in Madrid in June.

The wider squad consists of a strong mix of youth and experience, led by Charlotte Caslick and the Levi sisters – Maddison and Teagan – both of whom are coming off dominant years.

Injured stars Madison Ashby, Alysia Lefau-Fakaosilea, Kaitlin Shave and Sidney Taylor are all on the comeback trail after suffering knee injuries in 2024.

The setbacks allowed for the likes of Bridget Clark, Ruby Nicholas and Heidi Dennis to make their Sevens debut last season at the international level.

Retired legends Sharni Smale and Dominique Du Toit also bid farewell to the Sevens program in August, opening the door for the likes of Henwood and Duff to come into the squad full-time as well as Amahli Hala.

Australia Women’s Sevens coach Tim Walsh said: “We have had a rejuvenating pre-season balanced with elite standards and positive attitudes.

“We have enjoyed the mental and technical challenges and are determined to start the World Series where we finished last season as Champions.

“With a youthful in age squad, we are like fine wine and want to get better with age and strongly believe the best is yet to come.

“It is very pleasing to announce debutants Kahli Henwood and Kiiahla Duff who are poised to make their first appearances on the World Series.

“Both have spent years in their apprenticeship and fully deserve the right to represent this incredible team.”

Meanwhile, new Men’s coach Barry has named Aden Ekanayake and Sid Harvey for their Australian Rugby Sevens debuts in Dubai with the pair joining the top squad in 2024/2025.

Following their best finish at an Olympic Games in history, the Men’s Sevens squad has undergone several changes in the off-season with Barry’s appointment most significant.

Barry will oversee a younger group for his first season in charge following the retirements of captain Nick Malouf and former Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper.

Experienced players Henry Hutchison, Hayden Sargeant, Matt Gonzalez, Ben Dowling, James Turner and Henry Paterson have all re-signed with the Sevens program and are included for the upcoming Dubai tournament.

Josh Turner and Tim Clements have departed the Aussie Sevens program with Conor Hickey, Ben Dalton, Henry Palmer and Jayden Blake earning contracts for the first time.

National Performance Manager Scott Bowen said: “Since Paris we have had several changes with a number of experienced players and key staff from both Men’s and Women’s programs departing and I want to acknowledge how well the players have applied themselves during the adjustments in preparing for the start of the season.

“It is a new-look Men’s squad with Liam coming on board and we’re excited to get back competing and watching the progression of the young talent coming through particularly with Aden and Sid set to make their debuts next weekend.

“The Women’s team saw plenty of debutants last season and that has created strong depth for Tim to continue their great success on the world stage.”

The Aussie Women kick off their Dubai tournament against China while the Men’s team face South Africa in their first pool match.

Australia Women’s Sevens: 3 Faith Nathan, 5 Teagan Levi, 7 Charlotte Caslick, 9 Tia Hinds, 10 Isabella Nasser, 11 Demi Hayes, 12 Maddison Levi, 13 Heidi Dennis, 14 Bridget Clark, 15 Kahli Henwood, 23 Ruby Nicholas, 28 Kiiahla Duff, 65 Sariah Paki

Australia Men’s Sevens: 1 Henry Hutchison, 2 Ben Dowling, 3 Henry Palmer, 6 Henry Paterson, 7 James McGregor, 9 Matt Gonzalez, 10 Ben Dalton, 12 Nathan Lawson, 14 James Turner, 15 Sid Harvey, 23 Aden Ekanayake, 25 Hayden Sargeant, 87 Micheal Icely